"Can I borrow the car keys?"

If you're the parent or caregiver of a teen driver, your "yes" to this question may come with a host of warnings: "Wear your seat belt." "Obey the speed limit." "Don't drink and drive." But, have you warned your teen about the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana?

What To Know

• Marijuana affects a driver's alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. People who use marijuana and drive display the same lack of coordination on standard "drunk driver" tests as people who have had too much alcohol. ¹
• Marijuana, like other drugs and alcohol, can make it harder for a driver to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.² For example, a driver who has smoked marijuana may have trouble judging how long it will take his car to slow down when he hits the brakes, and may struggle to coordinate steering and braking.
• The effects of marijuana on driving can last up to 24 hours.³ An accident that happens today could be the result of someone's choice to use marijuana at a party last night.
• About one in six high school seniors in the United States has driven under the influence of marijuana,⁴ but teen drivers seem unconcerned about the danger that comes with getting behind the wheel after smoking pot. Forty-one percent of teens polled by Students Against Destructive Decisions/Liberty Mutual said they were not worried about driving after using drugs.⁵

What To Say

Before your teen starts driving, talk with her about the risks and responsibilities that come with having a license. Make sure you discuss the risks of using substances, and of driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs.

Tell your teen not to get into a car with someone who has been using illegal drugs or who has had even one alcoholic drink. Make sure your child knows that he can call you (or another trusted adult) if he can't get a safe ride home from a party or other event. Ask him to call even if he has been using substances and agree to pick him up without yelling at him for being in that situation. Later, talk with him and stress that, while you do not support this behavior, his safety is your first concern.

What To Do

Here are some other tips on helping your teen driver stay on the road to a drug-free lifestyle:

• Set clear rules for behavior, including rules and limits for driving. For example, set a curfew for when your teen must have the car back home (e.g., before dark), and limit the number of teen riders she can have in the car at one time.
• Follow through with consequences. Let your teen know that he will not be allowed to drive if he breaks the rules, and he may lose his license if he is caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Help your teen choose friends wisely. Encourage her to find friends who are drug free and warn her about peers who may try to pressure her to use marijuana or drive under the influence.
• Closely monitor your child's time and whereabouts. Car accidents are less likely to occur among teens whose parents watch them closely.⁶

For many teens, fear of parents' disapproval is a major reason for choosing not to use drugs.⁷ So stay involved and use your valuable influence to steer your teen driver in the right direction.

Sources

Additional Resources

Parents. The Anti-drug. Tips for Parents of New Drivers

CDC: Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet

Freevibe: Steer Clear of Pot